Perspectives for the development of tourism and recreation in range landscapes

In the recent years, to the various number of different management practices and services of range landscapes (such as grazing and pasturage – water, animal and apiarian production), an escalating tendency of demand for recreation and specially for Alternative Forms of Tourism (ecotourism – agrotourism) can be added. The main purpose of the present study is to survey the demand aspects concerning the potential development of Alternative Forms of Tourism in the area of Sykia, Chalkidiki, a place mainly covered by shrublands and natural grasslands so as the characteristic aspects of landscape and tradition should be protected. In order to analyze the demand for tourism and recreation, an attempt to investigate the characteristics of the tourists, their preferences, demands and suggestions took place by using questionnaires. The outcome of the present survey underlines the necessity of a sustainable designing and planning so as the resource management and visual improvement will be realized in two main directions: a) promotion of the Alternative Forms of Tourism and b) improvement of Services and organization of the Coastal Zone.